Can I turn across a freeway onramp on a red light?

Q: My wife and I have been debating this but can’t seem to figure it out: Is it legal to make a right turn across a freeway onramp on a red light?

Here’s an example from downtown Bellevue:

If I am travelling north on 112th Avenue Northeast and I come to a red light at the intersection of 112th and Northeast Eighth Street, am I allowed to make a right turn onto Eighth after stopping on the red light – even though I would be crossing over the southbound Interstate 405 onramp?

It feels like it should be illegal, but most drivers seem to do this (or honk at me if I don’t).

A:Here’s the response from Bellevue police spokesman Greg Grannis:

“The entry ramp to I-405 has no bearing on the intersection. It is merely the next roadway to the east.

“Just like any other street or driveway, it would not affect the ability of a driver to make a right turn on a red signal from the northbound lanes of 112th Avenue Northeast to the eastbound lanes of Northeast Eighth Street. It would be specifically signed as a “no right on red” intersection if that were the case.

“The real threat in that intersection is not the ramp itself, since no vehicles are coming out of it. The threat is eastbound through traffic on Northeast Eighth Street and traffic turning left from southbound 112th Ave Northeast to get to the entry ramp or eastbound Northeast Eighth Street.

“Remember, there are two conditions that must be met before turning right on red in any intersection: You must come to a complete stop before entering the intersection, and it must be clear and safe to proceed.

“If you get hit by an oncoming vehicle while making a right on red, it’s probably your fault.

“So yes, right turns on red are legal there, but drivers are reminded as always to proceed with caution.”

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